Are Dell machines upgradeable?

[JCROCCO]

I have a Dell Dimension 9200 that has the PentiumD 915 2.8 800 fsb processor. Can that processor be upgraded to anything faster? It may be able to go to the PentiumD 3.4, but Can it go to a C2D processor or other? I dont know how the sockets change between them, if at all.

The reason is I have a program (REVIT) that runs slugishly on the Quad Q9300, and according to benchmarks, the D is at 699, compared to 3,317 of the Q9300.

I bought the Q9300 computer specifically for this program, but I would like some of our existing computers to be able to run the program for viewing and printing, so speed isnt much of a factor, just want to use what I have. and if I can upgrade, that would be great.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[mpilchfamily]

Looking at the software needs the pentium D will be fine. While it doesn't meat teh reccomended specs it does exceed the required specs. The Petium D you have is like having 2 Pentium 4s running at 2.8GHz. The key to running it is the RAM. So you'll need a full 4GB of RAM on the older systems. As for the new one if its running Vista 64 then i'd go as high as 8Gb of RAM. A good video card would be recomended as well. If those Dells use onboard video then get an actual video card. But then you may also need to upgrade the PSU to support it.

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/s...eID=123112&id=12431819

 

[JCROCCO]

Thanks. The PentiumD currently only has 1 gig mem and 256 meg video, I can upgrade to 4 gig mem and 1 gig video for less than $200.

I installed the Revit on the existing pentiumD and it was slow, but worked. I knew I could upgrade memory and video, wasnt sure about the CPU tho.

All running XP.

 

[M0RPH]

I know that you could upgrade that to a Q6600 since they were sold with that processor. However, the Q6600 is an older gen quad and a pretty bad deal. It's possible you could stick a newer quad in there and get it to work but that would be a gamble. Also that's a BTX system so I'm not sure if you need a special processor... maybe someone else can answer that part.

 

[mpilchfamily]

Yes that Dell is a BTX system meaning your stuck with the stock cooler. Yes it usses the LGA 775 socket on the board which is the same socket on the q6600 the chipset will not support that CPU. I don't think a BIOS update would remody that problem. The best you can do is the current Pentium D. But the RAM and video card upgrade should be enough to keep that system ussable for your needs.

 

[M0RPH]

If you search a bit you will find that people have Dimension 9200 with a Q6600, because they were built with that processor from Dell. So I know for a fact that the Q6600 would work.

I still don't think it's worth upgrading to that CPU though.

 

[yh125d]

Why are you considering upgrading the video card? Is the program you use GPU accelerated? Do you game at all? If you do, 1gb isn't needed

 

[RebateMonger]

Dell's specs say the Dimension 9200 supports "Core 2 Duo".

Since it appears that Dell made the 9200 with the Q6600, that's what I'd go with. Unless you can VERIFY that Dell issued a BIOS that supports the later Wolfdales. But that's a longshot.

I believe that the Q6600 is no longer made. If you want one, I'd get it now. They won't get cheaper because there's a lot of older motherboards out there for which the Q6600 (and ultra-pricey Q6700) is the only Core 2 Quad chip that will work.

 

[Schmide]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
ultra-pricey Q6700

$180 q6700 - $10 coupon code SUMMER10 :sun:

 

[JCROCCO]

All good info guys, THANKS.

If I could replace the CPU, the Video card, and the memory, for say under $600, it would probably be worth it as a new computer will cost me 2K with the specs I need.

 

[JCROCCO]

talked to Dell tech support.

They said the Q6600 shows up as a replacement option, but was not sold with it.

It can use the E6700.

Would the heat sink or fan, etc need to change when changing the processor?

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: JCROCCO
talked to Dell tech support.

They said the Q6600 shows up as a replacement option, but was not sold with it.

It can use the E6700.

Would the heat sink or fan, etc need to change when changing the processor?

The Q6600 will work in it. You will not need to replace the HSF.

Instructions for replacing cpu...
http://support.dell.com/suppor...EN/parts.htm#wp1469009

It's pretty easy to do. Just need a screw driver and some thermal paste. I use q-tips to remove the existing thermal paste.

Make sure the memory you get is standard 1.8V. DDR2 667 and 800 work in this model, get whatever is cheapest.

edit: Make sure you have the newest BIOS installed. I remember these needed a new BIOS to work with SLACR (G0) Q6600 processors. Dell has a windows-based application to update the BIOS, easy to do.

 

[krnmastersgt]

Why did it go from $200 to replace ram + gpu to $600 when you added in a quad? Or did you mean a total upgrade of everything that can be upgraded on that system? Personally for that amount of money I'd actually try and build a new system (especially if your case can support an ATX board or you can take it to a shop and get holes drilled to do so ), but that's another option when you're reaching the ~$600 mark.

 

[JCROCCO]

Yeah, I can actually replace, according to Dell, the 3 components for under $500, and its all guaranteed compatible. A new system may run me over 2K, so thats why I want to see about using what I have.

4 gig memory
q6600 processor
1 GB Radeon HD 4670 DDR3 PCIE

 

[tcsenter]

Dell sometimes uses a different motherboard PCB version in some systems, depending on the CPU option being shipped. e.g. the Inspiron 530 used two different Foxconn motherboard variants, the difference being a revised/improved VRM to support Quad Core processors on models that were configured with it. Models that were not configured/shipped with quad CPU got the mobo version with the cheaper VRM that does NOT support quad.

 

[JCROCCO]

So, what your saying is it could be problematic? The advantage of going thru dell is I gime them the service tag number, and they are supposed to be able to tell me what is compatible with that system. And if it ends up not being compatible, they will refund the money. Something I cant do if I buy stuff online elsewhere.

Dell says I can put the Q6600 in the existing board. I really have my doubts, but both tech support and sales support both said it is doable.

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: JCROCCO
So, what your saying is it could be problematic? The advantage of going thru dell is I gime them the service tag number, and they are supposed to be able to tell me what is compatible with that system. And if it ends up not being compatible, they will refund the money. Something I cant do if I buy stuff online elsewhere.

Dell says I can put the Q6600 in the existing board. I really have my doubts, but both tech support and sales support both said it is doable.

What tcsenter is suggesting did NOT happen with your model.

There's no reason to order the parts from Dell. Save some cash and buy elsewhere. Your PSU can handle any PCI Express x16 card that needs one (or no) 6pin power connection. So an HD4850 or GTS 250 will be fine.

Your system can also support up to 8GB memory, but you'd need Vista 64bit for more than 4GB.

Your Dimension 9200 is the exact same as the XPS 410. And that's what I am currently using. I've replaced everything except the case/mobo/psu.

 

[JCROCCO]

I know that the memory and the video is no big deal to buy elsewhere. My biggest concern is the CPU. I dont want to risk buying a $300 CPU and not have it work and have no use for it. Any savings would be lost. Even tho Dell says I can use a Q6600, they say thats the highest one I could use. I dont know for sure that it will work.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: JCROCCO
Even tho Dell says I can use a Q6600, they say thats the highest one I could use. I dont know for sure that it will work.

A search on the 'Net should reveal any potential issues. There are a LOT of Dell computers out there, and you can usually find others who have upgraded the same PC. If there's a problem, it'll probably be reported on the Web or on the Dell Community Forums.

I have a Dell SC440 server that I wanted to upgrade to 8 GB of memory and to a Q6600. Dell says that the motherboard (an Intel board) only supports 4 GB of memory, maximum. But I saw two or three articles and photos showing folks using 8 GB with success (using 2 GB DDR2 ECC modules). Similarly, several folks had reported replacing the CPUs with the Q6600.

My upgrade was uneventful.

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: JCROCCO
I know that the memory and the video is no big deal to buy elsewhere. My biggest concern is the CPU. I dont want to risk buying a $300 CPU and not have it work and have no use for it. Any savings would be lost. Even tho Dell says I can use a Q6600, they say thats the highest one I could use. I dont know for sure that it will work.

Trust me, there will be no difference between buying the Q6600 from Dell and elsewhere, except the difference in price. They sell for ~$185. Dell only used one motherboard in this system. This system was sold with Q6600 processors, that I remember well.

 

[M0RPH]

Did you say they were charging you $300 for the Q6600?

It's on sale right now at Newegg for $170 w/ free ship.